The Big Bang Theory: 15 Facts You Didn’t Know

The Big Bang Theory has been bringing little bits of nerd culture into homes across the United States weekly for nine seasons. Starring Jim Parsons as genius Sheldon Cooper and Johnny Galecki as the nervous but loveable Leonard Hofstader, the show revolves around the relationships of the two main characters, as well as the relationships of their friends Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco), as well as their wives/girlfriends Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) and Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik). With excellent writing, the characters become deeper and more complex every season. It is no wonder that the show has been picked up for syndication, as well as distributed in countries all over the world.

Number Fifteen: The Big Bang Theory Cast Are Actually Friends

Both on screen and off, the cast members of The Big Bang Theory get along really well. They often share photos of themselves on Instagram hanging out between scenes, as well as supporting each other’s endeavors outside of the show.

Number Fourteen: Mayim Bialik is an Actual Scientist

After playing Blossom on the 90s show of the same name for five seasons, Bialik went to college at UCLA, earning a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience, Hebrew studies and Jewish studies. In 2007, she received a doctorate in neuroscience from the same institution.

Number Thirteen: There Were Two Pilots

When the first pilot for The Big Bang Theory was brought before test audiences, as well as the creative heads at CBS, the show flopped. The only redeeming quality was the relationship between Sheldon and Leonard (Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki, respectively). After shooting another pilot with the current cast, the show was picked up for 13 episodes. It has now been on for nine seasons.

Number Twelve: Barenaked Ladies Wrote the Show’s Theme Song

Fans of Barenaked Ladies, show creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady specifically asked the band to write a song for the show. Current lead singer Ed Robinson was weary of doing it at first, but after learning that he was the only one asked, agreed to do it.

Number Eleven: The Big Bang Theory is Practically a Rosanne Reunion

While Galecki, who played David on Rosanne, is one of the main characters on The Big Bang Theory, some of his former Rosanne cast mates have reoccurring roles on the show as well. Laurie Metcalf (Jackie) plays Sheldon’s mother in a number of episodes while Sara Gilbert (Darlene) plays Leonard’s on-again-off-again love interest in the first few seasons of the show.

Number Ten: There are Famous Guest Stars

Besides the appearances from Rosanne actors past, The Big Bang Theory has had many notable guest stars. As far as scientists go, Bill Nye, Stephen Hawking and Neil deGrasse Tyson have all made cameos at one time or another. Pop culture cameos include Sheldon’s idol turned nemesis Wil Wheaton, Nathan Fillion and Leonard Nimoy. Bob Newhart has also made a few appearances in the role of Professor Proton.

Number Nine: Bazinga!

Sheldon’s catchphrase actually came from a running gag within the show’s writer’s room. Former writer Stephen Engel invented the word and used it when he pranked the other writers, such as when he taped together a half-eaten grapefruit. Everyone thought it was so funny that they began using it in the show. Look for part two of our list of 15 interesting facts about The Big Bang Theory, coming soon.

Number Eight: There was a Knock-Off of the Show in Belarus

For a short while, there was a knock-off of The Big Bang Theory being produced in Belarus. The Theorists gleaned the names of the characters, the situations and even the dialogue from the originals, and since the show was being aired on a channel owned by the Belarusian government, there wasn’t much that could be done. Chuck Lorre was able to protest the vanity cards at the end of the show, though, and when the actors found out that their show was illegal, the entire cast promptly quit and the show was cancelled.

Number Seven: The Characters of Leonard and Sheldon are Named After One Person

Sheldon Leonard was an actor and producer best known for his work on The Andy Griffith Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show, as well as his starring role in It’s a Wonderful Life. Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady were big fans of his and decided to name the show’s characters after him.

Number Six: ‘Soft Kitty’

Sheldon’s favorite song when he is sick is actually a classic kid’s song. Written by Edith Newman in the 1930s based on an old folk song, “Warm Kitty,” the actual title of the song, is very popular among children in Australia. The show was recently sued over the song’s usage by the estate of Edith Newman.

Number Five: The Role of Amy Was Almost Given to Someone Else

We all know Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler, but the part was almost given to Kate Micucci. In the end, Bialik was given the role, but casting kept Micucci in mind when they needed someone for the role of Lucy, one of Raj’s love interests.

Number Four: There’s a Bee Named After Sheldon’s Catchphrase

Scientists in Brazil named a new species of orchid bee Euglossa Bazinga or bazinga bee after the species had tricked scientists into thinking it was a different but similar species of bee for many years. Impressive!

Number Three: Melissa Rauch Based Her Character’s Voice on Her Mother’s

Bernadette’s high, squeaky voice is based on Rauch’s mother’s voice. Only without the New Jersey accent.

Number Two: The Actress Who Played Howard’s Mom Passed Away in Real Life

It’s sad but true. When they killed off Howard’s mother in season eight, it was because the voice actress, Carol Ann Susi, passed away in real life.

Number One: Jim Parsons Has Never Seen Star Trek or Doctor Who

Despite Sheldon’s encyclopedic knowledge of these shows, Parsons has never seen either one. What drew him to the role instead was the way the writers wrote for his character. Thank you for reading our list of 15 interesting facts about The Big Bang Theory. We hope you enjoyed it!

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